Workers' compensation insurance protects workers who are injured while they're on the job. It provides payment for medical bills and lost wages suffered by the injured party as a result of their accidents. Not all workers' compensation cases proceed smoothly. If you're struggling to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, contact a Fort Lauderdale Workers Compensation Lawyer at Dolman Law Group today. Simply call (754) 208-1130 for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
Our Workers Comp Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale Fight Hard for Our Injured Workers
At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we provide fierce legal representation during one of the most difficult times of your life. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of injured Floridians file personal injury cases, including workers' compensation cases, to obtain the settlements and judgments they deserve.
In the courtroom and out, we utilize decades of experience and dedication to build solid and successful workers' comp claims. In many cases, we have obtained settlements and verdicts totaling millions of dollars for our clients, depending on the circumstances of their injuries.
What is your workers' compensation claim really worth? While each case is unique and past results can't guarantee future outcomes, by working with us, you will develop a better understanding of exactly what compensation you deserve for your injuries. To see what it will be like to work with one of our Fort Lauderdale workers' comp attorneys, take a look at what some of our satisfied clients have to say about our team.
What Types of Injuries Can a Fort Lauderdale Workers' Compensation Lawyer Help With?
Any injury that occurs at work, whether it's a slip and fall accident in an office setting or a traumatic brain injury on a construction site, typically qualifies under workers' compensation coverage. Common injuries may include:
Sprains, Strains, and Soft Tissue Damage
These injuries often result from repetitive strain, improper lifting techniques, or falls. They may seem minor initially, but if left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain and long-term disability.
Lacerations
When working with machinery, tools, or sharp objects, employees can often sustain deep cuts or lacerations. In addition to causing pain and discomfort, these injuries can sometimes lead to infections or other complications if they aren't promptly and properly treated.
Burns
These injuries are commonplace in industries involving electricity, chemicals, or heat. Severe burns can require specialist treatments, like skin grafts, and can also leave victims with permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Falling objects, falls from a height, or a violent blow to the head can cause traumatic brain injuries. They can result in cognitive impairments, physical limitations, and psychological consequences that affect not only the injured worker but also their family.
Spinal Cord Damage
This type of injury can result from falls, lifting heavy objects, or any violent impact. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to significant health complications, including partial or full paralysis.
Broken Bones
Fractures can happen from falls, vehicle collisions, or machinery accidents. Depending on the severity, these injuries might require surgery and extended rehabilitation periods, leaving workers unable to return to their jobs for an extended time.
Permanent Disabling Injuries
Some accidents may lead to catastrophic injuries that permanently affect a worker's ability to carry out their job or any form of work. These severe cases may result in permanent partial disability or permanent total disability. Occasionally, chemical exposure can also result in occupational diseases that can similarly cause long-term impairment.
Amputations
In some industries, workers run the risk of traumatic amputation injuries due to operating heavy machinery or handling hazardous equipment.
Crushing Injuries from Heavy Equipment
Construction, manufacturing, and warehouse workers often run the risk of sustaining crushing injuries from mishaps involving heavy equipment. Injured workers may suffer internal organ damage, fractures, or even death.
Wrongful Death
Sadly, on occasion, workplace accidents can be fatal. When a worker dies due to a workplace incident, their family members may be eligible for workers' compensation death benefits.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Injuries at Work?
If you're injured at work, workers' compensation insurance, carried by your employer, is designed to take on the financial burden associated with those injuries. In some cases, the negligence of another contractor or the negligence or deliberate malice of a third party at your workplace may also lead to partial responsibility in your accident. Work closely with a worker's comp attorney through the legal process to identify all responsible people or entities.
What Damages Can a Fort Lauderdale Work Comp Attorney Recover For You After a Work Injury?
When you suffer a workplace injury, workers' compensation benefits should kick in. Workers' compensation is designed to cover:
Medical Bills Associated With Your Injury
Workers' compensation will cover your initial medical expenses, including a necessary ambulance ride, as well as the cost of hospitalization and other medical care. Payment will continue as you continue to treat your injuries. If you expect a need for long-term medical care associated with your injury, your settlement may include funds to pay for extended care.
A Portion of Your Income While You're Off Work
Workers' compensation is designed to provide a percentage of your income while you're unable to work. This is typically not the full amount of your wages.
In some cases, injured workers may experience long-term damage as a result of their injuries, which can permanently damage their ability to work and their quality of life. A reasonable work comp settlement amount should take these circumstances into account.
What to Do When the Workers' Compensation Insurance Company Takes an Adverse Position
When you're injured on the job, getting a workers' compensation policy to pay your covered expenses is not always an easy task. Workers' compensation insurance may attempt to avoid or minimize liability for your claim by:
- Attempting to establish that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. In many cases, the workers' compensation system will only allow you to work with specific doctors that it recommends. These doctors will assess your injuries but may not indicate fairly what you are capable of doing after your injuries. If you believe that you were diagnosed unfairly or that your injuries are more severe than the insurance company's doctors claim, you have the right to a second opinion.
- Trying to convince you to return to work too soon. As you negotiate with workers' compensation adjusters, you may realize they are trying to convince you to return to work—with or without modifications for your injuries—sooner than you are able. This is because when you return to work, workers' comp no longer has to pay for income replacement.
- Offering a low settlement offer. If you were seriously injured and are out of work long-term—or, worse, you were permanently injured and may not ever return to work in the same capacity following your injuries—workers' compensation may offer you a lump sum settlement offer. It may seem like a lot of money, but usually, it's significantly less than the true cost of treating your injuries and replacing your lost income.
If you believe that workers' compensation is trying to avoid paying you what you need to treat your injuries, work with an experienced Fort Lauderdale workers' comp attorney to protect your rights, establish the full extent of your injuries, and obtain the compensation you deserve.
When to File a Third-Party or a Workers' Compensation Claim in Fort Lauderdale, FL
While the worker's compensation system serves as a safety net for employees injured on the job, it might not provide enough to cover all the damages, especially when severe injuries are involved. This is where third-party claims become crucial.
When You Can File Third-Party Claims
A third-party claim is an additional claim you can file on top of your workers' compensation claim against a party other than your employer whose negligence may have contributed to your work-related injury. For instance, if you were operating a defective piece of machinery at your job site in Fort Lauderdale, you may have a third-party claim against the equipment manufacturer. If you were in a car accident while making a delivery for your employer and the other driver was at fault, you may have a third-party personal injury claim against the other driver in addition to your workers' compensation claim.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover From a Third-Party Claim?
Another key difference between Florida workers' compensation claims and third-party claims lies in the kind of damages recoverable. Workers' compensation benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, while a third-party claim allows for a greater range of damages. For instance, pain and suffering, complete lost earnings, and other non-economic damages are typically not available in a worker's compensation claim but can be in a third-party lawsuit.
Our Workers' Compensation Attorneys Can Help You Navigate the Process
At Dolman Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, we understand the complexity of dealing with a workplace injury and the potential existence of third-party claims. Our experienced team is ready to guide you through your workers' compensation claim and investigate the circumstances of your injury to determine if a third-party claim might be possible to help recover compensation for your losses. We're committed to fighting for your rights and getting you the compensation you need to move forward.
Workers' Compensation Benefits for Long-Term Disability
When an injury or illness prevents an individual from working for an extended period, long-term disability benefits can provide much-needed financial support. These benefits are designed to replace a portion of the income lost due to the inability to perform work duties. Permanent impairment benefits are typically provided through an insurance policy purchased by an individual or offered as part of an employer’s insurance company benefits package.
Long-term disability benefits usually start after the completion of a short-term disability period, generally around 3–6 months after the disabling event. The duration of these benefits can vary depending on the policy's terms but could last until the age of retirement or until the individual can return to work.
Long-Term Disability May Not Cover Your Medical Bills
One critical aspect to remember about long-term disability benefits is that they don't cover medical expenses. They are designed primarily to replace lost income. It's also crucial to understand the policy's definition of disability, as it varies from one insurer to another. Some policies will provide benefits if you're unable to perform the duties of your specific occupation, while others only provide benefits if you're unable to perform any job reasonably suited to your education, training, and experience.
Receiving workers' compensation benefits for these injuries can often be a complex process with stringent requirements and strict deadlines. It's not uncommon for valid claims to be denied initially. Under such circumstances, legal assistance can prove to be invaluable.
At Dolman Law Group, we understand the intricacies of long-term disability claims, and our experienced attorneys can help ensure that you have the best chance of obtaining the benefits you need. We stand ready to advocate for you, handle the paperwork, negotiate with the insurer, and even represent you in appeals if necessary. Our goal is to help secure the financial support you need during this challenging phase of your life.
Call a Fort Lauderdale Workers Compensation Attorney at Dolman Law Group to Help You Recover the Benefits You Deserve After Your Work Injury
After an injury at work, funds are tight. You can't return to work, and your medical expenses are adding up fast. At Dolman Law Group, we believe in providing the representation our clients deserve without placing a heavy financial burden on them. When you contact one of our Fort Lauderdale workers' compensation lawyers, we'll set up a free consultation to discuss your injury and your rights under workers' compensation law.
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means that we get paid only if we recover fair compensation for you. This makes legal representation more affordable for clients who are already in dire financial situations.
If you were injured at work, you deserve the best possible representation to ensure your rights are protected. Contact Dolman Law Group online today, or call our office at (754) 208-1130 to set up your free consultation.
Fort Lauderdale Office
150 E Davie Blvd Suite 201-2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (754) 208-1130
What Our Clients Have to Say:
“This firm is amazing! Very professional, they helped me with my case until the end. They were available and very flexible. Dolman Law Group would answer all my calls/emails and wouldn't hesitate on explaining all of my concerns. They represented me on my case, in which it turned out to have a successful result. Super recommend them!” Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thiara Bandeira June 2018 Read more reviews on Google!